Storage and picking system and picking method with improved goods transfer between two storage locations

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), in which goods (21a. . . 21e) which are stored in a first storage zone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27a. . . 27c) are reloaded, on the basis of a transfer request, from a first loading aid (27a. . . 27c) into at least one hanging bag (29a. . . 29c) and in-fed in a second storage zone (16). When a picking order is obtained, (an) ordered good(s) (26a) is/are out-fed from the second storage zone (16) and loaded into or onto the target loading aid (30). The transfer request is generated and executed without reference to a picking order. Further, a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method is specified.

The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at leastone ordered good into or onto a target loading aid. In this process,goods of different types of good are in-fed into a first storage zonewith the help of first loading aids, which respectively receive aplurality of goods and which are respectively configured so as to bedifferent from a hanging bag. Further, a transfer request forrearranging multiple transfer goods of a type of good from the firststorage zone into a second storage zone when the goods of this type ofgood are low in stock in the second storage zone is generated. On thebasis of the transfer request, the transfer goods are reloaded from afirst loading aid into at least one second loading aid, which isconfigured as a hanging bag or comprises such a hanging bag, and the atleast one second loading aid is transported into the second storagezone. In another step, a picking order for picking the at least oneordered good is obtained, and the at least one ordered good required forthis picking order is ascertained. On the basis of the picking order,the at least one ordered good is out-fed from the second storage zoneand loaded into or onto the target loading aid.

Further, the invention relates to a storage and order-picking system forpicking at least one ordered good into or onto a target loading aid,which comprises a first storage zone for storing goods of differenttypes of good with the help of first loading aids, in which a pluralityof goods are respectively receivable and which are respectivelyconfigured so as to be different from a hanging bag. Further, thestorage and order-picking system has a second storage zone for storingthe goods of different types of good with the help of second loadingaids, which are respectively configured as a hanging bag or comprisesuch a hanging bag, as well as a warehouse computer for generating atransfer request for rearranging multiple transfer goods of a type ofgood from the first storage zone into the second storage zone when thegoods of this type of good are low in stock in the second storage zone.Furthermore, the storage and order-picking system comprises (a) firstconveying device(s) for out-feeding the first loading aids with thetransfer goods from the first storage zone on the basis of the transferrequest and (a) second conveying device(s) for in-feeding the hangingbags with the transfer goods into the second storage zone on the basisof the transfer request and for out-feeding at least one ordered good.In addition, the storage and order-picking system has a reloadingstation, to which the first conveying device(s) and the second conveyingdevice(s) are coupled and which enables the reloading, on the basis ofthe transfer request, of the transfer goods from a first loading aidinto a hanging bag provisioned there. Further, the storage andorder-picking system comprises an order-processing computer foracquiring an order for picking at least one ordered good and forascertaining the ordered good(s) required for this picking order.Finally, the storage and order-picking system comprises a pickingstation, to which the second conveying device(s) is/are coupled andwhich enables the reloading, on the basis of the picking order, of theat least one ordered good from a hanging bag into or onto a targetloading aid provisioned there.

Such methods and storage and order-picking systems are known, inprinciple, from the prior art. It is disadvantageous here that thetransfer processes and the picking processes highly and/or directlydepend on one another. A picking process entails, at all times, atransfer process, which effects the reloading of the ordered good(s)removed from the second storage zone. In this way, a quasi-constantstock of goods in the second storage zone is achieved at all times.However, this results in a high strain on the first conveying device(s)in the first storage zone, in the worst case in blockades and aquasi-standstill in the first storage zone. This may happen inparticular when (a) (new) good(s) is/are in-fed into the first storagezone, and there is therefore only limited capacity for the execution ofthe transfer processes.

It is therefore an object of the invention to specify an improvedorder-picking method and an improved storage and order-picking system.In particular, the complexity in terms of control technology in thestorage and order-picking system, undue strain on the first conveyingdevice(s) in the first storage zone as well as blockades andquasi-standstills in the first storage zone are to be avoided.

The object of the invention is achieved with an order-picking method ofthe kind mentioned at the beginning, in which the transfer request isgenerated and executed without reference to a picking order.

Advantageously, the first loading aid is conveyed, in this process, withthe transfer goods, on the basis of the transfer request, from the firststorage zone to a reloading station and provisioned at a first reloadingsupply position of the reloading station. Afterwards, the transfer goodsare reloaded into at least one hanging bag, which is provisioned at asecond reloading supply position of the reloading station.

Here, the steps of the specified method can run in an automatic and/orautomated manner In particular, all steps of the specified method canrun in an automatic and/or automated manner

The object of the invention is also achieved with a storage andorder-picking system of the kind mentioned at the beginning in which thewarehouse computer is configured to generate and execute the transferrequest without reference to a picking order.

In other words, the warehouse computer and the order-processing computercan work independent of each other in terms of control technology and/orthe transfer processes and the picking processes can run independent ofone another in terms of control technology. The decoupling of theseprocesses ensures that the complexity in terms of control technology canbe advantageously decreased in the storage and order-picking system. Itshould be noted in this context that “independent in terms of controltechnology” does not mean “uninfluenced,” as the generation of atransfer request is, after all, influenced via the stock of the good(s)in the second storage zone. Therefore, the generation of a transferrequest is influenced also indirectly by the picking processes, which,in turn, affect the stock of the good(s) in the second storage zone,after all. Yet not every picking order results necessarily and directlyin a transfer request. This ensures that the strain on the firstconveying device(s) in the first storage zone is reduced and blockadesand quasi-standstills in the first storage zone are avoided. Therefore,an in-feeding of (a) (new) good(s) into the first storage zone can bedone parallel, or quasi-parallel, to the transfer processes.

In the storage and order-picking system proposed, the first loading aidis additionally structured differently from the second loading aid. Inthis way, the first loading aids provided for the first storage zone canbe easily used for the longer-term storing of goods, whereas the secondloading aids (hanging bag) provided in the second storage zone can beeasily used for the rather short-term storing of goods. In addition, thehanging bag helps to execute the picking process efficiently andswiftly.

It is advantageous if the first loading aid, during the execution of atransfer request, is fully or partially unloaded (and after theexecution of a transfer request is in a fully or partially unloadedstate), depending on whether a parameter which is allocated to a type ofgood reaches (and/or falls below or rises above) a threshold value.

Accordingly, the fact that a first loading aid is fully or partiallyunloaded during the execution of a transfer execution does not depend onwhether the same number of goods are coincidentally stored in the firstloading aid as were requested by the transfer request, or more goodsthan were requested using the transfer request, but on whether or notsaid threshold value is reached. Accordingly, a possible returnconveying back into the first storage zone of a remaining quantity ofgoods remaining in the first loading aid equally does not depend onwhether the same number of goods are coincidentally stored in the firstloading aid as were requested by the transfer request, or more goodsthan were requested by the transfer request. Rather, the full unloadingof the first loading aid and a return storing back into the firststorage zone of a remaining quantity of goods remaining in the firstloading aid associated with it, if applicable, is done in adeterministic manner The processes running between the first storagezone and the second storage zone are therefore easier to plan andforesee than this is the case in the prior art.

In particular, a probability P for a full unloading of the first loadingaid (or a group of first loading aids, e.g. a group which is involved ina transfer request) fits the constraint

$P > \frac{1}{n_{Waren}}$

wherein n_(Waren) specifies the number of goods being stored in or onthis (these) first loading aid(s).

In more general terms, this means

$P > {\frac{k}{n_{Waren}}\mspace{31mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{31mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

therefore, for example:

$P > \frac{1,1}{n_{Waren}}$

The above constraints describe a full unloading of the first loading aidthat is targeted and not dependent on coincidence. Here, the parameter kspecifies the degree of the full unloading of the first loading aid thatis targeted and not dependent on coincidence.

It is also advantageous if a probability P for a full unloading of thefirst loading aids that are used for storing the line of goods fits theconstraint

$P > \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}$

wherein n_(LHM1) specifies the number of first loading aids used forstoring the line of goods and n_(Waren) the number of goods being storedin or on these first loading aids.

In more general terms, this means:

$P > {{k \cdot \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{14mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

wherein the parameter k specifies, once again, the degree of the fullunloading of the first loading aid that is targeted and not dependent oncoincidence.

It is further advantageous if a probability P for a full unloading ofthe first loading aid fits the constraint

$\frac{n_{{LHM}\; 1{vollst}}}{n_{LHM1}} > {{k \cdot \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{14mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

wherein n_(LHM1vollst) specifies the number of fully unloaded firstloading aids (in a period of time t), n_(LHM1) the number of firstloading aids involved in a transfer request (in this period of time t)and n_(Waren) the number of goods being stored in or on these firstloading aids involved in a transfer request (in this period of time t).In this variant embodiment, reference is made to the reloading point(i.e. to the reloading station) and/or to the reloading operationsactually performed. The period of time t should be selected to besufficiently long, e.g. t=1 h or t=1 day.

Generally, goods in a “storage and order-picking system” may bedelivered and accepted at a goods-in point, for example, and thereafter,if applicable, repacked and in-fed in a warehouse. The goods may also bepicked in accordance with an order, i.e. out-fed from the warehouse,compiled into an order and provisioned for outbound transport at thegoods-out point. In marked contrast to a manufacturing process, thegoods are not substantially changed between goods-in point and goods-outpoint. Yet a small change in shape is possible, in particular in case ofnon-rigid bodies, such as pouches or bags, or in case of other yieldingpackaging made of cardboard or plastic, for example.

“Goods” are generally objects of the trade in goods and are delivered atthe goods acceptance zone and discharged to a customer at the goodstransfer zone in accordance with an order. Goods which are allocated toan order are referred to within the scope of the invention as “orderedgoods.” The allocation to an order can be done for goods already instorage or, in principle, even before.

“Transfer goods” are goods which are to be transferred in accordancewith a transfer request from the first storage zone into the secondstorage zone and/or are actually transferred from the first storage zoneinto the second storage zone.

Within the scope of the invention, (a) “good(s),” “transfer good(s)” or(an) “ordered good(s)” is/are understood to mean, in particular, anindividually-handleable object and/or an individually-handleable groupof objects.

It should generally be noted that (a) “good(s),” (an) “ordered good(s)”and a “transfer good(s)” may be one and the same object at differentpoints in time.

A “type of good” specifies the kind of (a) good(s). For example,“tagliatelle, 1 kg” or “mineral water 11” may be provided as the type ofgood. The type of good may in particular also comprise items ofclothing. For example, “shirt, white, size 42” or “jeans, size 34/34” or“sock, black, size 43” may be provided as the type of good.

A “line of goods available” corresponds to the totality of the types ofgood in-fed in the first storage zone.

A “transfer request” or “rearrangement request” is a request orinstruction to transfer multiple transfer goods of a type of good fromthe first storage zone into the second storage zone. Such a transfer orrearrangement request is generated when the goods of this type of goodare low in stock in the second storage zone. In particular, the goods ofthis type of good are low in stock in the second storage zone wheneverthe number of the goods of this type of good stored in the secondstorage zone falls below a threshold value.

A “warehouse computer” serves to monitor the stock of the goods in thesecond storage zone and generates a transfer or rearrangement requestwhen (a) good(s) of a specific type of good is low in stock in thesecond storage zone.

Within the scope of the invention, “rearranging” means the out-feedingof (a) transfer good(s) from the first storage zone and the in-feedingof this/these transfer good(s) into the second storage zone.

A “provisioning time during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) fromthe first storage zone” is a measure for the period of time whichelapses from the request to out-feed (a) transfer good(s) from the firststorage zone to the point in time at which the respective transfergood(s) is/are actually provisioned at the reloading station.

An “order for picking ordered goods” (“picking order” in short)specifies the goods requested by a customer, at least with regard tonumber and type of good. For example, a picking order may comprisemultiple order lines, which respectively contain the number and the typeof good of (a) good(s) requested by the customer.

An “order-processing computer” serves to acquire an order and to executesame. For this purpose, the order-processing computer is in particularconnected, in terms of control technology, to elements of the storageand order-picking system, in particular to the first and/or secondconveying device(s) of the storage and order-picking system. Thewarehouse computer and the order-processing computer may also beconfigured as a joint warehouse and order-processing computer. In thiscase, the warehouse computer can be configured as a warehouse controlunit and the order-processing computer as an order control unit. Thewarehouse control unit and/or order control unit can in particular be apart of a software which runs in a joint warehouse and order-processingcomputer, i.e. a subroutine, for example.

Within the scope of the invention, “picking” is to be understood to meanthe compiling of ordered goods for a picking order, in the narrowersense the loading of a target loading aid with the ordered good(s).

“Slow-moving goods” are goods/ordered goods with a low rate of turnoverand/or ordered goods which appear statistically less frequently inorders (picking orders) and are therefore not requested as often asfast-moving consumer goods.

“Fast-moving goods” are goods/ordered goods with a high rate of turnoverand/or ordered goods which appear statistically frequently in orders(picking orders).

“Article-specific” means that the goods, or ordered goods, stored in aloading aid have the same type of good. For example, a loading aidcontains the good(s)/ordered good(s) “A” and another loading aidcontains the good(s)/ordered good(s) “B” etc. On the other hand, theloading aids may be subdivided into multiple receiving compartments byseparating walls and receive different types of good, wherein (a)good(s)/ordered good(s) “A” may be received in the first receivingcompartment and (a) good(s)/ordered good(s) “B” may be received in thesecond receiving compartment. The goods, or ordered goods, stored in astorage zone or in a loading aid in a “mixed”, or“non-article-specific,” manner, in contrast, have different types ofgood.

A “storage location” is an area in the storage and order-picking systemin which (a) good(s) can be stored. A “storage zone” is an area in thestorage and order-picking system which has a plurality of storagelocations for storing the goods. For example, the storage zone may beconfigured as a fixed-installation or mobile storage rack whichprovisions a plurality of storage locations next to one another and ontop of one another. Yet it is also conceivable that the storage zone isan area at the floor of the storage and order-picking system, which isprovided and/or reserved for depositing and storing (a) good(s). Walkand travel zones are therefore not storage zones but may adjoin to same.

The “first storage zone” serves to store the first loading aids. Inparticular, only first loading aids, and no hanging bags, are storedthere. For example, the first storage zone may be formed by shelf unitsand/or or by other holding spaces for the first loading aids, inparticular by holding spaces at the floor. Conveying vehicles operatedin an automated manner may be provided in the first storage zone forin-feeding and out-feeding first loading aids. A possible embodiment ofsuch a first storage zone with storage locations and first conveyingdevice(s) is known, for example, from WO 2016/033628 A1.

The “second storage zone” serves to store the hanging bags. Inparticular, only hanging bags, and no first loading aids, are storedthere. For example, the second storage zone may be formed by overheadstorage conveyors for the hanging bags.

A “goods transfer zone” is to be understood to mean the area in whichordered goods are discharged from the storage and order-picking system,i.e. in particular a goods-out point.

A “goods acceptance zone” is to be understood to mean the area in whichgoods are introduced into the storage and order-picking system, i.e. inparticular a goods-in point. In particular, goods carriers (e.g.pallets, cardboard boxes, etc.) which have been delivered can beseparated in a manual or automated manner This procedure is alsoreferred to as “depalletizing.”

A “target loading aid” serves to receive the ordered goods during thepicking process and may in particular be configured as a container,cardboard box, tray, pallet, bag (in particular a “polybag”), pouch,sack, hanging bag, suspended carrier or shelf unit. The target loadingaid can in particular function as a “dispatch loading aid” and serve totransport ordered goods out of the storage and order-picking system. Yetthe target loading aid can also function as an “interim loading aid,” inor on which ordered goods that have been picked and are intended fordispatching are interim-stored before being reloaded into or onto adispatch loading aid.

A “first loading aid” serves to transport goods and/or transfer goodsto, in and from the first storage zone. A first loading aid isconfigured so as to be different from a hanging bag (and, if applicable,different from a suspended carrier) and has, in particular, one, ormultiple, of the following properties:

-   -   A first loading aid is stored in the first storage zone standing        upright or lying down and transported on the first conveying        device(s) standing upright or lying down. Yet it would also be        conceivable, in principle, that a container-shaped loading aid        is transported suspended from an edge on container walls.    -   A first loading aid in the operating position has a width, depth        and height, wherein the following constraint is met:

width+depth >2·height.

-   -   A first loading aid is configured as a container, cardboard box,        tray, pallet or shelf unit.    -   A first loading aid has a rigid floor and/or rigid walls with an        elastic modulus >100 MPa.    -   A transport surface, at which the first loading aid is in        contact with the first storage zone or with the first conveying        device(s), in the operating position of the first loading aid is        arranged below the receiving plane and/or loading plane of the        first loading aid.    -   A first loading aid may be configured without a hook and is then        hookless and/or hook-free.

It should be noted in this context that not all first loading aids musthave the same properties, but first loading aids may also be configureddifferently. In addition, first loading aids may have multiple receivingzones/receiving compartments.

The second loading aid (the hanging bag) may in particular have one, ormultiple, of the following properties:

-   -   A hanging bag is stored in the second storage zone suspended and        is transported on the second conveying device(s) suspended.    -   A hanging bag in a suspended state (operating position) has a        width, depth and height, wherein the following constraint is        met:

width+depth <2·height.

-   -   A hanging bag has a floor and/or walls made of flexible        material, preferably of a textile (textile fabric) or a foil        (plastic foil).    -   A supporting surface, at which the hanging bag is in contact        with the second storage zone, or with the second conveying        device(s), has a hook shape or bracket shape.    -   A supporting surface, at which the hanging bag is in contact        with the second storage zone, or with the second conveying        device(s), is configured roller-shaped and connected with a hook        or arm of the hanging bag.    -   A supporting surface, at which the hanging bag is in contact        with the second storage zone, or with the second conveying        device(s), in the operating position of the hanging bag is        arranged above the filling plane of the hanging bag.

In particular, a hanging bag comprises a front wall, a rear wall, afloor, a storing space limited by the front wall, the rear wall and thefloor and a loading opening and/or unloading opening configured at thehanging bag at a first side and limited by the front wall, the rear walland the floor. The hanging bag may at a second side also have a sidewall stop, against which the good(s) and/or the ordered good(s) of thesecond order line can be applied. In particular, the front wall, therear wall and the floor may be formed as a single piece, for example bya length of fabric or woven cloth, which is mounted at an overheadconveyor/suspension rod at its upper end and forms a loop in the floorarea. In a closed position, the front wall and the rear wall have only asmall distance from each other, whereby the loading opening andunloading opening has a small surface area and the storing space of thehanging bag has a small volume. In the case of a length of fabric orwoven cloth, its upper ends equally have only a small distance from eachother, and the loop formed by the length of fabric or woven cloth isnarrow. In the closed position, the good(s) and/or the ordered good(s)of the second order line can thus be stored and transported in a narrowspace. In an open position, in contrast, the front wall and the rearwall have a large distance from each other, whereby the loading openingand unloading opening has a large surface area and the storing space ofthe hanging bag has a large volume. In the case of a length of fabric orwoven cloth, its upper ends equally have a large distance from eachother, and the loop formed by the length of fabric or woven cloth iswide. In the open position, the hanging bag is thus easy to load andunload. Such a hanging bag is disclosed, for example, in the Germanutility models DE 20 2017 106 993 U1, DE 20 2017 100 206 U1 or theAustrian patent application A 50320/2018.

It should also be noted in this context that not all hanging bags musthave the same properties, but hanging bags may also be configureddifferently. In addition, hanging bags may have multiple storingzones/storing compartments. It should be noted in addition that it isnot necessarily the case that only hanging bags are conveyed and/orstored on the second conveying device(s) and only hanging bags areconveyed and/or stored in the second storage zone. For example, also“suspended carriers” for hanging articles (e.g. coat hangers) may beconveyed and stored there. These suspended carriers do not necessarilycomprise a hanging bag, yet they may be arranged on the exterior or onthe interior of the hanging bag. Such combined, second loading aids,which comprise both a hanging bag and means for suspending a coathanger, or even the coat hanger itself, can be used particularlyuniversally. Therefore, different second loading aids can be stored andtransported in the second storage zone and on the second conveyingdevice(s), in particular both hanging bags and suspended carriers forhanging articles (e.g. coat hangers).

The “operating position” of a first or second loading aid ischaracterized in that goods are storable and transportable in it usingthe conveying device(s).

The “first conveying device(s)” serve(s) to transport the first loadingaids. The “second conveying device(s)” serve(s) to transport the secondloading aids (hanging bags). The “third conveying device(s)” serve(s) totransport the target loading aids.

The “first conveying device(s)” and/or “second conveying device(s)”and/or “third conveying device(s)” may comprise (a) “fixed-installationconveying device(s)” and/or “autonomous conveying vehicles” and/or bemade up of it/them.

For the transport of goods, “(a) fixed-installation conveyor(s)”require(s) permanently-integrated devices. For example, a lift requiresa frame at which a lifting platform is moved.

In contrast to this, the lifting platform alone is non-functional.(A)fixed-installation conveyor(s) is/are in particular characterized inthat it/they cannot be extracted from the storage and order-pickingsystem without loosening fastenings.(A) fixed-installation conveyingdevice(s) is/are to be understood to mean, in particular, rollerconveyors, belt conveyors, chain conveyors and suchlike. In contrast tothis, an autonomous industrial truck can be extracted from the storageand order-picking system without loosening fastenings.

Within the scope of the invention, “conveying vehicles operated in anautomated manner” are to be understood to mean self-propelled and/ordriverless conveying vehicles for the transport of goods, which travelalong permanently specified lanes or which are freely guided, i.e.without fixed track guidance. A fixed track guidance can be specified atthe floor of the travel surface, for example with the help of opticalcolor stripes, with magnetic strips, with marker tags or also withrails. A conveying vehicle operated in an automated manner has inparticular a transport platform, on which the goods/ordered goods to betransported are received temporarily. Instead of the transport platform,or additionally to it, the conveying vehicle operated in an automatedmanner may also have a (telescopable) suspension rod and/or overheadconveyor for receiving hanging bags and, if applicable, suspendedcarriers. For example, the transport platform/suspension rod may bepermanently affixed to the conveying vehicle, yet the transportplatform/suspension rod may also be vertically and/or laterally movablerelative to an underframe of the conveying vehicle, for example in orderto be able to in-feed goods/ordered goods into a storage rack andout-feed them from the storage rack. Wheels, of which at least one isdriven, are arranged at the underframe. Further, a conveying vehicleoperated in an automated manner also comprises an electronic control forreceiving commands by a superordinate control and forcontrolling/regulating the movements of the conveying vehicle operatedin an automated manner

A “storage-and-retrieval unit” is a conveying vehicle operated in anautomated manner which travels on rails and may be configured as asingle-level-storage-and-retrieval unit (also referred to as “shuttle”)or as a multi-level-storage-and-retrieval unit. For their operation,storage-and-retrieval units require elements of fixed-installationconveying device(s) (namely the rails). For this reason,storage-and-retrieval units are, within the scope of the invention,counted among the fixed-installation conveying device(s).

An “autonomous industrial truck” is a non-railborne conveying vehicleoperated in an automated manner At least one of the wheels is steerable,unless the autonomous conveying vehicle has wheels with which also alateral movement can be executed (e.g. Mecanum wheels).

An autonomous industrial truck also comprises sensors for capturing theenvironment of the industrial truck and for spatial orientation.

A “picking station” is a station and/or a zone or location at or inwhich ordered goods can be loaded into or onto a target loading aid. Thepicking station may have a picking control for controlling the pickingprocess of the ordered goods. Yet it would also be conceivable that thepicking process is controlled, alternatively or additionally, by theorder-processing computer.

A “reloading station” is a station and/or a zone or location at or inwhich transfer goods can be reloaded from a first loading aid into ahanging bag. The reloading station may have a reloading control forcontrolling the reloading process of the transfer goods. Yet it wouldalso be conceivable that the reloading process is controlled,alternatively or additionally, by the warehouse computer.

An “unloading station” is a station and/or a zone or location at or inwhich delivered goods can be loaded into or onto a first loading aid.These goods may be delivered in bulk or be stored in or on deliveryloading aids. The unloading station may have an unloading control forcontrolling the unloading process of the goods.

An unloading station, a reloading station and a picking station mayrespectively be configured for automatic, manual or mixedautomatic/manual operation, wherein the manual operation may inparticular be computer-aided. To that end, said stations may comprisevarious functional units, for example a robot, a tilting device fortilting a first loading aid at a supply position (e.g. for reasons ofergonomics), an unloading device for unloading a hanging bag and/or adevice for opening and/or closing a hanging bag at a supply position.Further, a functional unit may be an output unit (e.g. a display or avoice output unit), an input unit (e.g. a keyboard, a touch display or avoice input unit) and/or a capturing unit (e.g. a scanner). Anycombination of said functional units is possible, of course.

In automatic or mixed automatic/manual operation, the robot and/or thetilting device can be instructed to execute a specific sequence ofmovements. In manual or mixed automatic/manual operation, a worker canbe instructed with the help of the output unit to execute a specificprocess. The worker can offer feedback via the input unit and/or thecapturing unit.

The above-mentioned process is therefore done in a computer-aided manualmanner Said functional units may be controlled by a control of therespective station, i.e. by the unloading control of the unloadingstation, the reloading control of the reloading station or the pickingcontrol of the picking station. Yet it would also be conceivable thatsaid functional units are controlled, alternatively or additionally, bythe warehouse computer and/or order-processing computer.

In “automatic” operation, e.g. a robot independently executes specifiedsequences of movement. In “automated operation,” a device can work,fully or partially, without human assistance. “Automated” operation mayaccordingly be automatic and/or computer-aided manual operation. In“computer-aided manual” operation, a worker receives instructions from acontrol and, if applicable, offers feedback to the control. In “mixedmanual/automatic” operation, parts of a process are executedautomatically (e.g. by a robot), other parts by a worker (e.g. in acomputer-aided manual manner).

A “supply position” is generally a position at which a first loadingaid, a hanging bag or a target loading aid is supplied and/orprovisioned. At this position, a loading and/or unloading of therespective loading aid is possible. For example, the supply position maybe formed by a stopping position for a first loading aid or a deliverygoods carrier on (a) first conveying device(s), by a stopping positionfor a hanging bag on (a) second conveying device(s) or by a stoppingposition for a target loading aid on (a) third conveying device(s).

An “order-picking supply position” is therefore a supply position whichis arranged at a picking station and/or forms part of same. A “reloadingsupply position” is therefore a supply position which is arranged at areloading station and/or forms part of same. An “unloading supplyposition” is therefore a supply position which is arranged at anunloading station and/or forms part of same.

A “mobile shelf unit” is a movable shelf unit which is not fixed at aspecific location. A mobile shelf unit may in particular comprise wheelsfor easier transport.

An “overhead conveyor” is a conveyor at which hanging bags can be storedand/or transported suspended. An “overhead storage conveyor” istherefore an overhead conveyor at which hanging bags can be storedsuspended and which is in particular arranged in the second storagezone. An “overhead transport conveyor” is an overhead conveyor via whichhanging bags can be transported suspended. A “mobile overhead storageconveyor” is a movable overhead conveyor which is not fixed at aspecific location. A mobile overhead storage conveyor may in particularbe structured similarly to a mobile shelf unit and equally have wheelsfor easier transport. If the supporting surface, at which the hangingbag is in contact with the overhead conveyor, is configured hook-shapedor bracket-shaped, the hook or bracket of the hanging bag glides alongthe overhead conveyor during transport. If the supporting surface, atwhich the hanging bag is in contact with the overhead conveyor, isconfigured roller-shaped, the roller of the hanging bag rolls along theoverhead conveyor during transport. The same is true for suspendedcarriers.

A “sorting device” is a device with which goods, in particular orderedgoods, can be brought into a specified or specifiable sequence.

Further advantageous designs and further advancements of the inventionresult from the subclaims as well as from the description in combinationwith the figures.

It is advantageous if a setting to a partial or full unloading for amajority of types of good of the line of goods is maintained for aspecified period of time, or for a specified number of transfer requestsoccurring consecutively and relating to these types of good.Accordingly, a decision, once made, will be maintained for longer,whereby the probability for a full unloading of the first loading aid isincreased. The longer said decision is maintained, the higher also saidprobability for the full unloading. The period of time may be, forexample, 10 minutes, the number e.g. 10 transfer requests occurringconsecutively and relating to these types of good. For example, saidsetting may be done by the warehouse computer or the reloading station.

Yet it is also advantageous if a setting to a partial or full unloadingfor a type of good is maintained for a specified period of time or for aspecified number of transfer requests occurring consecutively andrelating to these types of good. Also in this case, a decision, oncemade, will be maintained for longer, whereby the probability for a fullunloading of the first loading aid is equally increased. However, thedecision refers to a specific type of good, and not to a majority oftypes of good of the line of goods. The longer said decision ismaintained, the higher, once again, said probability for the fullunloading. In this variant, too, the period of time may be, for example,10 minutes, the number e.g. 10 transfer requests occurring consecutivelyand relating to these types of good. For example, said setting may bedone, once again, by the warehouse computer or the reloading station.

It is furthermore advantageous if a setting to a partial or fullunloading applies to all first loading aids which are required for theexecution of a transfer request. If a transfer request relates tomultiple first loading aids, all but one are fully unloaded. With regardto the remaining last first loading aid, the above setting applies. Thismeans that the remaining last first loading aid is fully or partiallyunloaded during the execution of the transfer request, depending onwhether a parameter which is allocated to a type of good reaches (and/orfalls below or rises above) a threshold value. Alternatively, the aboverule may also be defined as follows: order-picking method, in which asetting to a full unloading applies to all first loading aids which arerequired for the execution of a transfer request and a setting to apartial unloading applies to one of the first loading aids which arerequired for the execution of a transfer request. In any case, the fullunloading of the first loading aid and a return storing back into thefirst storage zone of a remaining quantity of goods remaining in or on afirst loading aid associated with it, if applicable, is done, again, ina deterministic manner, and not in a random manner For example, saidsetting may be done, once again, by the warehouse computer or thereloading station.

In addition, it is of advantage if the parameter allocated to a type ofgood forms part of the group: rate of turnover of the type of good, rateof turnover of the type of good in the second storage zone, number oftransfer goods of the type of good to be reloaded. The “rate of turnoverof a type of good” specifies how many goods of the respective type ofgood are requested by an ordering entity and subsequently dispatched ina specific space of time. Often, the goods are categorized into“fast-moving consumer goods” and “slow-moving consumer goods.”Fast-moving consumer goods are therefore goods with a high rate ofturnover, slow-moving consumer goods are goods with a low rate ofturnover. The “number of reloadable transfer goods” specifies how manygoods of a specific type of good are transferred from the first storagezone into the second storage zone during a transfer execution.

It is particularly advantageous if

the parameter allocated to a type of good is a rate of turnover of atype of good (occurring in the second storage zone),

the threshold value is a rate-of-turnover threshold value, whichsubdivides the line of goods into a share of types of good with a highrate of turnover and a share of types of good with a low rate ofturnover, and

the first loading aid is fully unloaded (at all times) during executionof a transfer request if the respective type of good belongs to theshare of the line of goods available with a high rate of turnover whichis above a rate-of-turnover threshold value.

On the one hand, this advantageously results in the number of thereloading operations at the reloading station being kept relatively lowfor transfer goods with a high rate of turnover (fast-moving consumergoods), as either the requested number of transfer goods is reloadedfrom the first loading aid into the hanging bag, or a higher number. Onthe other hand, the second storage zone is not overly strained byordered goods with a low rate of turnover, which are only rarelyrequested by a customer (slow-moving consumer goods).

In the above context, it is particularly advantageous if the firstloading aid, during execution of a transfer request,

i) is only fully unloaded if a target number of transfer goods to bereloaded is larger than the number, or equal to the number, of the goodslocated in the first loading aid, and

ii) is partially unloaded if a target number of transfer goods to bereloaded is smaller than the number of the goods located in the firstloading aid,

-   -   if the respective type of good, in the cases i) and ii), belongs        to the share of the line of goods available with a low rate of        turnover which is below the rate-of-turnover threshold value.

Accordingly, the first loading aid is not always fully unloaded duringexecution of a transfer request if the respective type of good, in thecases i) and ii), belongs to the share of the line of goods availablewith a low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods) which is belowthe rate-of-turnover threshold value. Yet the first loading aid may befully unloaded, also in this case, if a target number of transfer goodsto be reloaded is (coincidentally) larger than the number of the goodslocated in the first loading aid, or equal to the number of goodslocated the in the first loading aid.

It is furthermore advantageous if the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods to be rearranged is determined by means of one parameter,or multiple parameters, from the group: rate of turnover of this type ofgood, number of the goods of this type of good in the second storagezone. In particular, the number and/or target number of the transfergoods to be rearranged is higher in goods with a high rate of turnover(fast-moving consumer goods) than in goods with a low rate of turnover(slow-moving consumer goods). Accordingly, few reloading operations,measured against the number of transfer goods, take place at thereloading station for goods with a high rate of turnover, whereas manyreloading operations, measured against the number of transfer goods,take place at the reloading station for goods with a low rate ofturnover. Alternatively or additionally, the number and/or target numberof the transfer goods to be rearranged can be determined by means of thenumber of the goods of this type of good in the second storage zone. Inparticular, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods to berearranged is high when the warehouse stock of the respective type ofgood (i.e. the number of the goods of the respective type of good) islow in the second storage zone. In contrast to this, the number and/ortarget number of the transfer goods to be rearranged is low when thestock level of the respective type of good is high in the second storagezone. In particular, the number and/or target number of the transfergoods to be rearranged is determined by the warehouse computer.

According to another variant of the order-picking method, it is ofparticular advantage if

-   -   the parameter allocated to a type of good is a target number of        transfer goods of a type of good which is to be transferred from        the first storage zone into the second storage zone,    -   the threshold value is a rearrangement threshold value, from        which a first loading aid loaded with goods of said type of good        is fully unloaded,    -   a target number of transfer goods of the respective type of good        to be reloaded is determined for the transfer request,    -   the actual number of the actually reloaded transfer goods        corresponds to the target number if the target number is        smaller, or equal, to the rearrangement threshold value, and the        actual number of the actually reloaded transfer goods        corresponds to the total number of the goods located in the        first loading aid if the target number is above said        rearrangement threshold value and    -   (in the storage and order-picking system) at least one        rearrangement threshold value SW_(Umlager) referring or        convertible to the number of goods exists, for which the        following is true:

SW_(Umlager)<n_(Waren)−1

wherein n_(Waren) specifies the number of goods respectively beingstored in or on these first loading aids.

In this embodiment of the order-picking method proposed, a first loadingaid is fully unloaded whenever the target number is (coincidentally)close to the number of the goods being stored in the first loading aid.Accordingly, a minor and non-requested excess quantity of transfer goodsis accepted into the second storage zone instead of return-storing theseinto the first storage zone. This prevents the first conveying device(s)from being excessively strained by the return storing of first loadingaids into the first storage zone.

Here, the above-mentioned rule can be followed by the requesting or theexecuting system, i.e. by adequate specification by the warehousecomputer or by checking the specification at the reloading station. Ifthe rule is implemented by the reloading station, the warehouse computerneed not have any information on the number of the goods being stored inthe first loading aid. If, in contrast, the warehouse computer hasinformation on the number of the goods being stored in the first loadingaid, the above-mentioned rule can, in principle, also be carried out bythe warehouse computer itself, whereby a strain, in terms of controltechnology, on the reloading station is reduced.

Generally, the rearrangement threshold value can be specified directlyas a number of goods, yet the rearrangement threshold value could alsobe specified as a percentage. For the execution of the above-mentionedrule, the percentage rearrangement threshold value is multiplied by therespective number of the goods being stored in the first loading aid inorder to obtain an absolute value for the rearrangement threshold value.Accordingly, a percentage rearrangement threshold value is an example ofa rearrangement threshold value convertible to the number of goods.

It is advantageous in the above context if the target number isdetermined by means of one parameter, or multiple parameters, from thegroup: rate of turnover of this type of good, number of the goods ofthis type of good in the second storage zone. In particular, the numberand/or target number of the transfer goods to be rearranged is higher ingoods with a high rate of turnover (fast-moving consumer goods) than ingoods with a low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods).Accordingly, few reloading operations, measured against the number oftransfer goods, take place at the reloading station for goods with ahigh rate of turnover, whereas many reloading operations, measuredagainst the number of transfer goods, take place at the reloadingstation for goods with a low rate of turnover. Alternatively oradditionally, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods tobe rearranged can be determined by means of the number of the goods ofthis type of good in the second storage zone. In particular, the numberand/or target number of the transfer goods to be rearranged is high whenthe warehouse stock of the respective type of good (i.e. the number ofthe goods of the respective type of good) is low in the second storagezone. In contrast to this, the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods to be rearranged is low when the stock level of therespective type of good is high in the second storage zone. Inparticular, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods to berearranged is determined by the warehouse computer.

It is advantageous if the rearrangement threshold value is determined bymeans of one parameter, or multiple parameters, from the group: rate ofturnover of the type of good, total capacity in the second storage zone,remaining capacity in the second storage zone, provisioning time duringthe out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) from the first storage zone. Inthis way, the processes during the transfer of the transfer good(s) fromthe first into the second storage zone can be optimized.

In particular,

-   -   the rearrangement threshold value for a type of good with a        first rate of turnover is lower than for a type of good with a        smaller, second rate of turnover and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a second storage zone with        a first total capacity is lower than for a second storage zone        with a smaller, second total capacity and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a first remaining capacity        in the second storage zone is lower than for a smaller, second        remaining capacity in the second storage zone and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a first provisioning time        during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) from the first        storage zone is lower than for a shorter, second provisioning        time during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) from the        first storage zone.

Here, it is also of advantage if

-   -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the rate of        turnover of the type of good increases and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the remaining        capacity in the second storage zone increases and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the provisioning        time during the outfeeding of (a) transfer good(s) from the        first storage zone increases,

and vice versa.

In another favorable variant of the order-picking method, a transferrequest for rearranging multiple transfer goods of a type of good from afirst loading aid into at least one hanging bag is created when thenumber of the goods of this type of good in the second storage zonefalls below a stock threshold value. This procedure ensures that aspecific minimum number of goods of a specific type of good is in stockin the second storage zone at all times. Advantageously, the stockthreshold value is set so as to enable a picking process of an averagescope to be executed without a transfer request for goods of this typeof good being required for this if the stock of goods of this type ofgood is above the stock threshold value at the beginning of the pickingprocess. In other words, the picking process can be executed withoutgoods of this type of good having to be reloaded into the second storagezone.

In another variant of the order-picking method, the content of the firstloading aid during execution of a transfer request is divided betweenmultiple hanging bags. This ensures that the order-picking method canalso be executed when the holding capacity (holding volume) of thehanging bags is small compared to the holding capacity (holding volume)of the first loading aids. The entire unloading process for a firstloading aid may also relate to multiple transfer requests issued atseparate times.

It is also favorable if one piece of (a) transfer good(s) isrespectively reloaded into one hanging bag each during the execution ofa transfer request. In this way, a subsequent picking process can besimplified. On the one hand, this simplifies the picking process assuch, i.e. the removal from the hanging bag, which has, in particular, apositive effect on the automated order picking using a robot. If manygoods are stored in a hanging bag, the selection and removal of aspecific article by a robot is particularly challenging in terms oftechnology, after all. Furthermore, also a return storing back into thesecond storage zone of a remaining quantity of goods in the hanging bagwill be obsolete.

Yet it is also favorable if, during the execution of a transfer request,multiple transfer goods are reloaded into one hanging bag each. In thisway, the number of the hanging bags required for a subsequent pickingprocess can be kept low. This ensures that a relative capacityutilization on the second conveying device(s) by this picking process iskept low, i.e. the hanging bags required for a picking process have onlya relatively small share in a total capacity utilization on the secondconveying device(s). It should be pointed out in this context that, inthis variant embodiment, not all goods being stored in a hanging bagmust form ordered goods when said hanging bag is transported to thepicking station. Instead, it would also be conceivable that an orderedgood, or multiple ordered goods, is/are reloaded from the hanging baginto or onto the target loading aid and a remaining quantity of goods,which has no reference to said picking order and remains in the hangingbag, is return-stored into the second storage zone.

It is further favorable if the target loading aid

-   -   functions as a dispatch loading aid and the at least one ordered        good is loaded directly from the hanging bag into or onto the        dispatch loading aid or    -   functions as an interim loading aid and the at least one ordered        good is reloaded from the hanging bag into or onto the interim        loading aid and afterwards into or onto a dispatch loading aid.

The use of an interim loading aid can facilitate the picking process, inparticular when many dispatch loading aids of different kinds are loadedwith ordered goods. The use of a (uniform) interim loading aid ensuresthat the picking process at the picking station, i.e. the loading of theinterim loading aid with ordered goods, can be harmonized andsimplified.

It is further favorable if the first loading aid is selected from thegroup: container, tray or cardboard box, wherein the loading aidcomprises a floor with a receiving location on its upper side, on whicha plurality of goods, or transfer goods, can be placed, and has atransport surface on its lower side, by which the first loading aid istransportable on (a) first conveying device(s), as well as comprisesside walls rising up from the floor. This enables the first loading aidto receive, in particular, multiple goods, or transfer goods.

Yet it is also advantageous if the first loading aid is configured as amobile shelf unit, which comprises shelves with respectively at leastone receiving location in storage planes located on top of one another,on which receiving location at least one good, or transfer good, can beplaced. In particular, the first loading aid configured as a mobileshelf unit may comprise shelves with respectively at least one receivinglocation in storage planes located on top of one another, on whichreceiving location at least one transfer good, preferably a plurality oftransfer goods, can be placed. In this way, a plurality of transfergoods can be transported at once. The number of journeys needed for atransfer request can thus be kept low.

It is further favorable if the storage and order-picking system has asorting device arranged along the route of the second conveyingdevice(s), which sorting device is configured for bringing ordered goodsinto a specifiable sequence. In this way, the picking process can besimplified. In particular, a sorting operation can take place in asingle-stage or also multistage manner The sorting device may beconfigured as a matrix sorter, for example. In addition to a sortingdevice, or instead of a sorting device, a sorting operation may alsotake place by an adequate removal of the ordered goods from the secondstorage zone, for example with the help of a conveying vehicle operatedin an automated manner (for example with the help of astorage-and-retrieval unit or with the help of an autonomous industrialtruck).

It is advantageous in addition if the first conveying device(s) and/orsecond conveying device(s) comprise(s) (a) fixed-installation conveyingdevice(s) and/or autonomous industrial trucks and/or is/are made up ofit/them. This enables the transport of the goods and/or transfer goodsand/or ordered goods to be done in a flexible manner

It is favorable if

-   -   the first storage zone comprises storage racks,    -   storage locations are provided in the storage racks, and    -   the first conveying device(s) comprise(s) a conveying vehicle        operated in an automated manner, which enables the out-feeding        of the first loading aid with the transfer goods. In this way, a        plurality of goods and/or transfer goods can be stored in the        first storage zone in a space-saving manner

It is further favorable if the first conveying device(s)

-   -   comprise(s) a first conveying section for in-feeding the first        loading aid with (a) good(s) into the first storage zone and    -   a second conveying section for out-feeding a first loading aid        with (a) transfer good(s) from the first storage zone, and    -   the conveying vehicle operated in an automated manner also        enables the in-feeding of the first loading aid with the good(s)        into a storage location.

This enables goods to be in-fed into the first storage zone and transfergoods to be out-fed from the first storage zone. To that end, also ajoint conveying section, instead of separate conveying sections, may beprovided, which joint conveying section is operated bidirectionally.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the conveying vehicle operated in anautomated manner

-   -   is displaceable in front of the storage locations along a rack        aisle and    -   is equipped with a load suspension device for in-feeding a first        loading aid with (a) good(s) into a storage location and/or for        out-feeding the first loading aid with the transfer goods from a        storage location and    -   is configured as a railborne storage-and-retrieval unit or as an        autonomous industrial truck.

The measures proposed ensure that the goods can be in-fed in anautomated manner and/or the transfer goods can be out-fed in anautomated manner

It is advantageous if

-   -   the shelf units are configured as mobile shelf units which        function as first loading aids, and    -   the conveying vehicle operated in an automated manner is        configured as an autonomous industrial truck, and the mobile        shelf units are transportable by the autonomous industrial        truck.

In this way, a plurality of transfer goods can be transported at once.The number of journeys needed for a picking order can thus be kept low.

It is favorable in addition if the second storage zone comprisesoverhead storage conveyors, and

I) the second conveying device(s) comprise(s) overhead transportconveyors, which are connected, in terms of conveyor technology, withthe overhead storage conveyors and enable the in-feeding of the hangingbag with the transfer good(s) into the second storage zone and/or theout-feeding of the hanging bag with the ordered good(s) from the secondstorage zone and/or

II) the second conveying device(s) comprise(s) a conveying vehicleoperated in an automated manner, which enables the in-feeding of thehanging bag with the transfer good(s) into the second storage zoneand/or the out-feeding of the hanging bag with the ordered good(s) fromthe second storage zone.

The measures proposed ensure that the transfer goods can be in-fed in anautomated manner and/or the ordered goods can be out-fed in an automatedmanner In the case I), (a) fixed-installation conveying device(s) is/areprovided to that end, in the case II), (a) non-fixed-installationconveying device(s) is/are provided to that end.

It is favorable if, in the case II), the conveying vehicle operated inan automated manner

-   -   is displaceable in front of the storage locations along a rack        aisle and    -   is equipped with a load suspension device for in-feeding the        hanging bag with the transfer good(s) into the overhead storage        conveyor and/or for out-feeding the hanging bag with the ordered        good(s) from the overhead storage conveyor and    -   is configured as a railborne storage-and-retrieval unit or as an        autonomous industrial truck.

The measures proposed ensure that the transfer goods can be in-fed intothe second storage zone in an automated manner and/or the ordered goodscan be out-fed from the second storage zone in an automated manner

It is furthermore advantageous if

-   -   the overhead storage conveyors are configured so as to be mobile        and/or transportable, and    -   the conveying vehicle operated in an automated manner, in the        case II), is configured as an autonomous industrial truck, and a        mobile overhead storage conveyor is transportable by the        autonomous industrial truck.

In this way, a plurality of transfer goods, or ordered goods, can betransported at once. The number of journeys needed for a rearrangingprocess, or a picking order, can thus be kept low. A mobile and/ortransportable overhead storage conveyor is, in particular, formed by asuspension rod, which can be manipulated by the autonomous industrialtruck.

It is particularly advantageous if the autonomous industrial truck isconfigured both for transporting the mobile shelf units and fortransporting the mobile overhead storage conveyors.

The first and second conveying devices are, in this case, (at leastpartially) configured identical, and the autonomous industrial truckscan thus be used in a particularly flexible manner A joining pointbetween the stationary conveying device(s) and the autonomous industrialtrucks may in particular be formed by a location of the stationaryconveying device(s) (e.g. roller conveyor for first loading aids oroverhead conveyor for hanging bags), from which location first loadingaids or hanging bags are loaded onto autonomous industrial trucks of theabove-mentioned kind, which can transport both first loading aids aswell as hanging bags.

It should be noted in this context that the variants and advantagesdisclosed in relation to the storage and order-picking system presentedequally relate to the order-picking method presented, and vice versa.

For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will beelucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

FIG. 1 an embodiment of a schematically-depicted storage andorder-picking system with a first and second storage zone;

FIG. 2 an exemplary (mobile) shelf unit in an oblique view;

FIG. 3 an exemplary, mobile overhead storage conveyor in an oblique viewand

FIG. 4 an exemplary and schematically-depicted autonomous industrialtruck.

First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodimentsdescribed, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/orequal component designations, where the disclosures contained in theentire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts withequal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover,the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, atthe side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described anddepicted figure, and in case of a change of position, are to beanalogously transferred to the new position.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary storage and order-picking system 1 in aschematized plan view. The storage and order-picking system 1 comprisesa building 2, as well as a gate at the first goods acceptance zone 3 anda gate at the second goods transfer zone 4.

There are three first sections 5 a, 5 a′ and 5 a″ of (a) first conveyingdevice(s) in the area of the goods acceptance zone 3. The first section5 a of the first conveying device(s) connects the goods acceptance zone3 with a first robot 6 a. To that end, a first unloading supply position7 is arranged at the end of the first section 5 a of the first conveyingdevice(s), in this example.

The other first sections 5 a′, 5 a″ of the first conveying device(s)connect the first robot 6 a with the first storage zone 8. To that end,a second unloading supply position 9 is arranged at the start of thefirst section 5 a′ of the first conveying device(s), and a thirdunloading supply position 10 is arranged at the start of the firstsection 5 a″ of the first conveying device(s), in this example. Thefirst storage zone 8 comprises multiple storage racks 11, as well asstorage-and-retrieval units 12 a and 12 b, which travel in rack aislesrunning between the storage racks 11. The first robot 6 a, the firstunloading supply position 7, the second unloading supply position 9 andthe third unloading supply position 10 form, in particular, an unloadingstation 13 operated in an automated manner Also conceivable is anunloading station (not shown) which, while comprising the firstunloading supply position 7, the second unloading supply position 9 andthe third unloading supply position 10, comprises no first robot 6 a.The first robot 6 a is then replaced by a person. The unloading cantherefore be carried out automatically and/or manually (in particular ina computer-aided manner).

At the end of the rack aisles which is located opposite the firstsections 5 a′, 5 a″ of the first conveying device(s), a second section 5b of the first conveying device(s) is arranged, which leads to a secondrobot 6 b. To that end, a first reloading supply position 14 is arrangedat the end of the second section 5 b of the first conveying device(s),in this example.

In the range of action of the second robot 6 b, also a first section 15a of (a) second conveying device(s) is arranged, which connects thesecond robot 6 b, in terms of conveyor technology, with a second storagezone 16 with multiple overhead storage conveyors 17. To that end, asecond reloading supply position 18 is arranged at the start of thefirst section 15 a of the second conveying device(s), is in thisexample. The second robot 6 b, the first reloading supply position 14and the second reloading supply position 18 form, in particular, areloading station 19 operated in an automated manner Also conceivable isa reloading station (not shown) which comprises the first reloadingsupply position 14 and the second reloading supply position 18, but nosecond robot 6 b. The second robot 6 b is then replaced by a person. Thereloading can therefore be carried out automatically and/or manually (inparticular in a computer-aided manner).

Further, the second conveying device(s) comprise(s) a second section 15b, which connects the second storage zone 16 with a third robot 6 c. Tothat end, a first order-picking supply position 20 is arranged at theend of the second section 15 b of the second conveying device(s), inthis example. The first section 15 a of the second conveying device(s)and the second section 15 b of the second conveying device(s) areconfigured as overhead transport conveyors. Also the overhead storageconveyor 17 is not necessarily configured only for storing goods 21 a. .. 21 d but may also be configured for transporting same.

Finally, the storage and order-picking system 1 comprises (a) thirdconveying device(s) 22, which connect(s) the third robot 6 c with thegoods transfer zone 4. To that end, a second order-picking supplyposition 23 is arranged at the start of the third conveying device(s)22, in this example. The third robot 6 c, the first order-picking supplyposition 20 and the second order-picking supply position 23 form, inparticular, a picking station 24 operated in an automated manner Alsoconceivable is a picking station (not shown) which comprises the firstorder-picking supply position 20 and the second order-picking supplyposition 23, but no third robot 6 c. The third robot 6 c is thenreplaced by a person. The order picking can therefore be carried outautomatically and/or manually (in particular in a computer-aidedmanner).

An optional sorting device 25 may also be arranged along the route ofthe second conveying device(s) 15 a, 15 b in order to bring orderedgoods 26 a into a specifiable sequence.

The functioning of the storage and order-picking system 1 depicted inFIG. 1 is as follows:

Goods 21 a. . . 21 d are delivered at the goods acceptance zone 3 andloaded onto the first section 5 a of the first conveying device(s). Thegoods 21 a. . . 21 d are transported to the unloading station 13 on thefirst section 5 a of the first conveying device(s) and supplied there,specifically at the first unloading supply position 7. Described belowis the embodiment according to which the unloading station 13 comprisesthe first robot 6 a. The goods 21 a. . . 21 d are reloaded, by the firstrobot 6 a, from the first section 5 a of the first conveying device(s)onto the first section 5 a′ or 5 a″ of the first conveying device(s),specifically into or onto a first loading aid 27 a, which is provisionedat the third unloading supply position 10. With the help of thestorage-and-retrieval units 12 a and 12 b, the first loading aid 27 a isin-fed into one of the storage racks 11. The first loading aids 27 a, 27b respectively receive a plurality of goods 21 a. . . 21 d and arerespectively configured so as to be different from a hanging bag. Forexample, the first loading aids 27 a, 27 b are configured as acontainer, tray or cardboard box. In the first storage zone 8,generally, goods 21 a. . . 21 d of different types of good are in-fed.The totality of the types of good in-fed corresponds to a line of goodsavailable.

As is apparent in FIG. 1, the goods 21 a. . . 21 d can be deliveredseparated or in/on delivery goods carriers 28 (delivery bundles, forexample pallets, cardboard box with goods). The goods 21 a. . . 21 d canbe separated in the course of the in-feeding process, yet this is notmandatory. Also the reloading into or onto a first loading aid 27 a isnot mandatory, but it would also be conceivable to in-feed the deliverygoods carrier 28 directly in the first storage zone 8. The deliverygoods carrier 28 then takes the place of a first loading aid 27 a, 27 b.

In the second storage zone 16, the goods 21 e are stored in secondloading aids 29 a, 29 b, which are, in this example, respectivelyconfigured as a hanging bag. When a picking order for picking orderedgoods is obtained, the ordered goods 26 a required for this pickingorder are ascertained. Subsequently, said ordered goods 26 a are out-fedfrom the second storage zone 16 and loaded into or onto a target loadingaid 30 on the basis of the picking order. Specifically, a hanging bag 29c with the ordered good(s) 26 a is conveyed to the picking station 24 tothat end and provisioned at the first order-picking supply position 20.Described below is the embodiment according to which the picking station24 comprises the third robot 6 c. The ordered good(s) 26 a contained inthe hanging bag 29 c is/are reloaded, by the third robot 6 c, from thehanging bag 29 c into the target loading aid 30, which is provisioned atthe second order-picking supply position 23. Subsequently, the targetloading aid 30 is conveyed via the third conveying device(s) 22 to thegoods transfer zone 4 and loaded, there, into a truck, for example.

In the example presented, the target loading aid 30 functions as adispatch loading aid and thus serves to transport the ordered good(s) 26a out of the storage and order-picking system 1. It would also beconceivable that the target loading aid 30 functions as an interimloading aid and therefore serves to interim-store (an) ordered good(s)26 a that has/have been picked and is/are intended for dispatchingbefore being reloaded into or onto a dispatch loading aid. Generally,the target loading aid 30 may be configured as a container, cardboardbox, tray, pallet, bag (in particular a “polybag”), pouch, sack, hangingbag or shelf unit.

With the help of the optional sorting device 25, the ordered goods 26 acan be brought into in a specifiable sequence, unless such a sequencecan be created already during the out-feeding of the ordered goods 26 afrom the second storage zone 16.

If (a) good(s) 21 a. . . 21 e of a type of good in the second storagezone 16 is/are low in stock (e.g. when the number of the goods 21 a. . .21 e of this type of good in the second storage zone 16 falls below astock threshold value), a transfer or rearrangement request(rearrangement command) for reloading multiple transfer goods 31 of saidtype of good from a first loading aid 27 a, 27 b into at least onehanging bag 29 a is generated, for example by a warehouse computer 32.On the basis of this transfer request, at least one first loading aid 27a, 27 b with the required transfer goods 31 is subsequently out-fed fromthe first storage zone 8, specifically with the help of one of thestorage-and-retrieval units 12 a, 12 b. Afterwards, the loading aid 27a, 27 b with the required transfer goods 31 is loaded onto the secondsection 5 b of the first conveying device(s) and transported by same tothe reloading station 19 and specifically provisioned at the firstreloading supply position 14 (see the transfer good(s) 31 at the firstreloading supply position 14 in FIG. 1). Described below is theembodiment according to which the reloading station 19 comprises thesecond robot 6 b. The transfer goods 31 required in the second storagezone 16 are removed, by the second robot 6 b, from the first loading aid27 a, 27 b and loaded into a hanging bag 29 a provisioned at the secondreloading supply position 18. Finally, the hanging bag 29 a istransported via the first section 15 a of the second conveying device(s)into the second storage zone 16 and in-fed there into one of theoverhead storage conveyors 17.

This procedure ensures that a specific minimum number of goods 21 a. . .21 e of a specific type of good is in stock in the second storage zone16 at all times. Advantageously, the stock threshold value is set so asto enable a picking process of an average scope to be executed without atransfer request for goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good beingrequired for this if the stock of goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type ofgood is above the stock threshold value at the beginning of the pickingprocess. In other words, the picking process can be executed withoutgoods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good having to be reloaded into thesecond storage zone 16.

The transfer request is generated and executed without reference to, andindependent of, a picking order. The process for picking ordered goodsinto or onto a target loading aid 30 thus runs parallel (and independentin terms of control technology) to the process for rearranging thetransfer goods 31 from the first storage zone 8 into the second storagezone 16. Yet the two processes are influenced by the fact that a loadingof ordered goods of a specific type of good results in a lower warehousestock of goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good in the second storagezone 16, whereby, as described above, a transfer request is caused. If,in contrast, there is a bottleneck of goods 21 a. . . 21 e of a specifictype of good in the second storage zone 11 due to a longer absence ofrearranging processes of the transfer goods 31 from the first storagezone 8 into the second storage zone 11, a picking order can, undercertain circumstances, not be executed.

During the execution of the transfer request, the first loading aid 27a, 27 b is advantageously fully or partially unloaded (and after theexecution of the transfer request is in a fully or partially unloadedstate), depending on whether a parameter which is allocated to a type ofgood reaches (and/or falls below or rises above) a threshold value.

Variant Embodiment I

For example, the parameter allocated to a type of good may be a rate ofturnover of a type of good (occurring in the second storage zone 16),and the threshold value may be a rate-of-turnover threshold value, whichsubdivides the line of goods into a share of types of good with a highrate of turnover (fast-moving consumer goods) and a share of types ofgood with a low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods). The firstloading aid 27 a, 27 b is, in this variant, (at all times) fullyunloaded during execution of a transfer request if the respective typeof good belongs to the share of the line of goods available with a highrate of turnover (i.e. to the fast-moving consumer goods) which areabove a rate-of-turnover threshold value.

If (a) transfer good(s) 31 and/or the type of good of the transfergood(s) 31 belong(s) to the share of the line of goods available with alow rate of turnover (i.e. to the slow-moving consumer goods) which arebelow the rate-of-turnover threshold value, the first loading aid 27 a,27 b, during execution of a transfer request,

i) is only fully unloaded if a target number of transfer goods 31 to bereloaded is larger than the number, or equal to the number, of the goods21 a. . . 21 e located in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b and

ii) is partially unloaded if a target number of transfer goods 31 to bereloaded is smaller than the number of goods 21 a. . . 21 e located inthe first loading aid 27 a, 27 b.

Therefore, the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b is not always fully unloadedduring execution of a transfer request if the respective type of good,in the cases i) and ii), belongs to the share of the line of goodsavailable with a low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods) whichare below the rate-of-turnover threshold value. The first loading aid 27a, 27 b is only fully unloaded if a target number of transfer goods 31to be reloaded is (coincidentally) larger than the number, or equal tothe number, of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e/transfer goods 31 located in thefirst loading aid 27 a, 27 b.

On the one hand, the measures proposed advantageously result in thenumber of the reloading operations at the reloading station 19 beingkept relatively low for transfer goods 31 with a high rate of turnover(fast-moving consumer goods), as either the requested number of transfergoods 31 is reloaded from the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b into thehanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c, or a higher number. On the other hand, thesecond storage zone 16 is not overly strained by ordered goods with alow rate of turnover, which are only rarely requested by a customer(slow-moving consumer goods).

The number and/or target number of the transfer goods 31 to berearranged can be determined by means of one parameter, or multipleparameters, from the group: rate of turnover of this type of good,number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good in the secondstorage zone 16.

In particular, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods 31to be rearranged is higher in goods 21 a. . . 21 e with a high rate ofturnover (fast-moving consumer goods) than in goods 21 a. . . 21 e witha low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods). Accordingly, fewreloading operations, measured against the number of transfer goods 31,take place at the reloading station 19 for goods 21 a. . . 21 e with ahigh rate of turnover, whereas many reloading operations, measuredagainst the number of transfer goods 31, take place at the reloadingstation 19 for goods 21 a. . . 21 e with a low rate of turnover.Alternatively or additionally, the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods 31 to be rearranged can be determined by means of thenumber of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good in the secondstorage zone 16. In particular, the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods 31 to be rearranged is high when the warehouse stock ofthe respective type of good (i.e. the number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 eof the respective type of good) is low in the second storage zone 16. Incontrast to this, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods31 to be rearranged is low when the stock level of the respective typeof good is high in the second storage zone 16. In particular, the numberand/or target number of the transfer goods 31 to be rearranged can bedetermined by the warehouse computer 32.

Variant Embodiment II

The parameter allocated to a type of good may also be a target number oftransfer goods 31 of a type of good, which is to be transferred from thefirst storage zone 8 into the second storage zone 16, and the thresholdvalue may be a rearrangement threshold value, from which a first loadingaid 27 a, 27 b loaded with goods 21 a. . . 21 e of said type of good isfully unloaded. For the transfer request, once again, a target number oftransfer goods 31 of the respective type of good to be reloaded isdetermined, in particular by the warehouse computer 32. The actualnumber of the actually reloaded transfer goods 31 corresponds to thetarget number if the target number is smaller, or equal to, therearrangement threshold value, and the actual number of the actuallyreloaded transfer goods 31 corresponds to the total number of the goods21 a. . . 21 e located in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b if the targetnumber is above said rearrangement threshold value. In the storage andorder-picking system 1, at least one rearrangement threshold valueSW_(Umlager) referring or convertible to the number of goods exists, forwhich the following is true:

SW_(Umlager)<n_(Waren)−1

wherein n_(Waren) specifies the number of goods 21 a. . . 21 erespectively being stored in or on these first loading aids 27 a, 27 b.

In this embodiment of the order-picking method proposed, a first loadingaid 27 a, 27 b is therefore fully unloaded whenever the target number is(coincidentally) close to the number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e beingstored in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b. Accordingly, a minor andnon-requested excess quantity of transfer goods 31 are accepted into thesecond storage zone 16 instead of return-storing these into the firststorage zone 8. This prevents the second section 5 b of the firstconveying device(s) from being excessively strained by the returnstoring of first loading aids 27 a, 27 b into the first storage zone 8.

Here, the above-mentioned rule can be followed by the requesting or theexecuting system, i.e. by adequate specification by the warehousecomputer 32 or by checking the specification at the reloading station19. If the rule is implemented by the reloading station 19 (inparticular by the second robot 6 b), the warehouse computer 32 need nothave any information on the number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e beingstored in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b. If, in contrast, thewarehouse computer 32 has information on the number of the goods 21 a. .. 21 e being stored in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b, theabove-mentioned rule can, in principle, also be carried out by thewarehouse computer 32 itself, whereby a strain, in terms of controltechnology, on the reloading station 19 is reduced.

Generally, the rearrangement threshold value can be specified directlyas a number of goods 21 a. . . 21 e, yet the rearrangement thresholdvalue could also be specified as a percentage. For the execution of theabove-mentioned rule, the percentage rearrangement threshold value ismultiplied by the respective number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e beingstored in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b in order to obtain anabsolute value for the rearrangement threshold value. Accordingly, apercentage rearrangement threshold value is an example of arearrangement threshold value convertible to the number of goods.

The number and/or target number of the transfer goods 31 to berearranged can, once again, be determined by means of one parameter, ormultiple parameters, from the group: rate of turnover of this type ofgood, number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good in thesecond storage zone 16.

In particular, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods 31to be rearranged is higher in goods 21 a. . . 21 e with a high rate ofturnover (fast-moving consumer goods) than in goods 21 a. . . 21 e witha low rate of turnover (slow-moving consumer goods). Accordingly, fewreloading operations, measured against the number of transfer goods 31,take place at the reloading station 19 for goods 21 a. . . 21 e with ahigh rate of turnover, whereas many reloading operations, measuredagainst the number of transfer goods 31, take place at the reloadingstation 19 for goods 21 a. . . 21 e with a low rate of turnover.Alternatively or additionally, the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods 31 to be rearranged can be determined by means of thenumber of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e of this type of good in the secondstorage zone 16. In particular, the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods 31 to be rearranged is high when the warehouse stock ofthe respective type of good (i.e. the number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 eof the respective type of good) is low in the second storage zone 16. Incontrast to this, the number and/or target number of the transfer goods31 to be rearranged is low when the stock level of the respective typeof good is high in the second storage zone 16. In particular, the numberand/or target number of the transfer goods 31 to be rearranged can bedetermined by the warehouse computer 32.

It is advantageous if the rearrangement threshold value is determined bymeans of one parameter, or multiple parameters, from the group: rate ofturnover of the type of good, total capacity in the second storage zone16, remaining capacity in the second storage zone 16, provisioning timeduring the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) 31 from the first storagezone 8. In this way, the processes during the transfer of the transfergood(s) 31 from the first storage zone 8 into the second storage zone 16can be optimized.

In particular,

-   -   the rearrangement threshold value for a type of good with a        first rate of turnover is lower than for a type of good with a        smaller, second rate of turnover and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a second storage zone 16        with a first total capacity is lower than for a second storage        zone 16 with a smaller, second total capacity and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a first remaining capacity        in the second storage zone 16 is lower than for a smaller,        second remaining capacity in the second storage zone 16 and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value for a first provisioning time        during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) 31 from the first        storage zone 8 is lower than for a shorter, second provisioning        time during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) 31 from the        first storage zone 8.

Here, it is also of advantage if

-   -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the rate of        turnover of the type of good increases and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the remaining        capacity in the second storage zone 16 increases and/or    -   the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if the provisioning        time during the outfeeding of (a) transfer good(s) 31 from the        first storage zone 8 increases, and vice versa.

In both variant embodiments I and II, the fact that a first loading aid27 a, 27 b is fully or partially unloaded during the execution of atransfer execution does not depend on whether the same number of goods21 a. . . 21 e are coincidentally stored in the first loading aid 27 a,27 b as were requested by the transfer request, or more goods 21 a. . .21 e than were requested by the transfer request, but on whether or notsaid threshold value is reached. Accordingly, a possible returnconveying back into the first storage zone 8 of a remaining quantity ofgoods 21 a. . . 21 e remaining in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 bequally does not depend on whether the same number of goods 21 a. . . 21e are coincidentally stored in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b as wererequested by the transfer request, or more goods 21 a. . . 21 e thanwere requested by the transfer request. Rather, the full unloading ofthe first loading aid 27 a, 27 b and a return storing back into thefirst storage zone 8 of a remaining quantity of goods 21 a. . . 21 eremaining in the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b associated with it, ifapplicable, is done in a deterministic manner The processes runningbetween the first storage zone 8 and the second storage zone 16 aretherefore easier to plan and foresee than this is the case in the priorart.

This finds its expression, for example, in the fact that a probability Pfor a full unloading of the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b (or a group offirst loading aids 27 a, 27 b, e.g. a group which is involved in atransfer request) fits the constraint

$P > \frac{1}{n_{Waren}}$

wherein n_(Waren) specifies the number of the goods 21 a. . . 21 e beingstored in or on this (these) first loading aid(s) 27 a, 27 b. In moregeneral terms, this means

$P > {\frac{k}{n_{Waren}}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{14mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

The above constraints describe a full unloading of the first loading aid27 a, 27 b that is targeted and not dependent on coincidence.

It would also be conceivable that a probability P for a full unloadingof the first loading aids 27 a, 27 b which are used for storing the lineof goods fits the constraint

$P > \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}$

wherein n_(LHM1) specifies the number of first loading aids 27 a, 27 bused for storing the line of goods and n_(Waren) the number of goods 21a. . . 21 e being stored in or on these first loading aids 27 a, 27 b.In more general terms, this means:

$P > {{k \cdot \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{14mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

Also these formulae describe a full unloading of the first loading aid27 a, 27 b which is targeted and not dependent on coincidence, here,however, referring to the total line of goods.

In another variant, a probability P for a full unloading of the firstloading aid 27 a, 27 b fits the constraint

$\frac{n_{{LHM}\; 1{vollst}}}{n_{LHM1}} > {{k \cdot \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}}\mspace{14mu} k} \geq {1\mspace{14mu}\left( {{e.g.\mspace{14mu} k} = 1.1} \right)}$

wherein n_(LHM1vollst) specifies the number of fully unloaded firstloading aids 27 a, 27 b (in a period of time t), n_(LHM1) the number offirst loading aids 27 a, 27 b involved in a transfer request (in thisperiod of time t) and n_(Waren) the number of goods 21 a. . . 21 e beingstored in or on these first loading aids 27 a, 27 b involved in atransfer request (in this period of time t).

In this variant embodiment, reference is made to the reloading point(i.e. to the reloading station 19) and/or to the reloading operationsactually performed. The period of time t should be selected to besufficiently long, e.g. t=1 h or t=1 day.

It is generally of advantage if a setting to a partial or full unloadingfor a majority of types of good of the line of goods is maintained for aspecified period of time, or for a specified number of transfer requestsoccurring consecutively and relating to these types of good.Accordingly, a decision, once made, will be maintained for longer,whereby the probability for a full unloading of the first loading aid 27a, 27 b is equally increased. The longer said decision is maintained,the higher also said probability for the full unloading. The period oftime may be, for example, 10 minutes, the number e.g. 10 transferrequests occurring consecutively and relating to these types of good.

It is also of advantage if a setting to a partial or full unloading fora type of good is maintained for a specified period of time, or for aspecified number of transfer requests occurring consecutively andrelating to these types of good. Also in this case, a decision, oncemade, will be maintained for longer, whereby the probability for a fullunloading of the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b is equally increased.However, the decision refers to a specific type of good, and not to amajority of types of good of the line of goods. The longer said decisionis maintained, the higher, once again, said probability for the fullunloading. In this variant, too, the period of time may be, for example,10 minutes, the number e.g. 10 transfer requests occurring consecutivelyand relating to these types of good.

Furthermore, it is of advantage if a setting to a partial or fullunloading applies to all first loading aids 27 a, 27 b which arerequired for the execution of a transfer request. If a transfer requestrelates to multiple first loading aids 27 a, 27 b, all but one are fullyunloaded. With regard to the remaining, last first loading aid 27 a, 27b, the above setting applies. This means that the remaining, last firstloading aid 27 a, 27 b is fully or partially unloaded during theexecution of the transfer request, depending on whether a parameterwhich is allocated to a type of good reaches (and/or falls below orrises above) a threshold value. The full unloading of the first loadingaid 27 a, 27 b and a return storing back into the first storage zone 8of the remaining quantity of goods 21 a. . . 21 e remaining in or on afirst loading aid 27 a, 27 b associated with it, if applicable, is done,again, in a deterministic, and not in a random, manner

It is generally conceivable that, during execution of a transferrequest, the content of the first loading aid 27 a, 27 b is dividedbetween multiple hanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c. This ensures that theorder-picking method can also be executed when the holding capacity ofthe hanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c is small compared to the holdingcapacity of the first loading aids 27 a, 27 b. The total unloadingprocess for a first loading aid 27 a, 27 b may also relate to multipletransfer requests issued at separate times.

It is generally conceivable that, during the execution of a transferrequest, one piece of (a) transfer good(s) 31 is respectively reloadedinto one hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c each. In this way, a subsequentpicking process can be simplified, in particular if, as in the exampledepicted, this picking process is carried out using a robot 6 c. If alarge number of goods 21 a. . . 21 e are stored in a hanging bag 29 a. .. 29 c, the selection and removal of a specific article by a robot 6 cis particularly challenging in terms of technology. In addition, also areturn storing back into the second storage zone 16 of a remainingquantity of (a) good(s) 21 a. . . 21 e in the hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 cis obsolete.

Yet, alternatively, it is also conceivable that, during the execution ofa transfer request, multiple transfer goods 31 are reloaded into onehanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c each. In this way, the number of the hangingbags 29 a. . . 29 c required for a picking process, and thus a capacityutilization on the second conveying device(s) 15 a, 15 b, can be keptlow.

For the controlling of the above-mentioned processes, the warehousecomputer 32 for generating a transfer or rearrangement request forrearranging multiple transfer goods 31 of a type of good from the firststorage zone 8 into the second storage zone 16 when the goods 21 a. . .21 e of this type of good are low in stock in the second storage zone 16is provided in FIG. 1, as well as the order-processing computer 33 foracquiring an order for picking at least one ordered good 26 a and forascertaining the ordered good(s) 26 a required for this picking order.Here, the warehouse computer 32 can control the storage-and-retrievalunits 12 a, 12 b, the second section 5 b of the first conveyingdevice(s) and the reloading station 19 operated in an automated manner,in particular the second robot 6 b, such as this is symbolized in FIG. 1by the two dotted arrows on the left, which point away from the area ofthe warehouse computer 32. The order-processing computer 33 can controlthe overhead storage conveyor 17, the second section 15 b of the secondconveying device(s) 15 b and the picking station 24 operated in anautomated manner, in particular the third robot 6 c, such as this issymbolized in FIG. 1 by the two dotted arrows on the right, which pointaway from the area of the order-processing computer 33. The warehousecomputer 32 and the order-processing computer 33 may also, as depictedin FIG. 1, be integrated in a joint warehouse and order-processingcomputer 34. In this case, the warehouse computer 32 and theorder-processing computer 33 may be part of a software, which runs inthe joint warehouse and order-processing computer 34.

It should be noted in this context that the hanging bag 29 b in FIG. 1is depicted in the actual position (namely suspended), whereas thehanging bags 29 a and 29 c are depicted rotated into the image plane inorder to be able to better depict the content of the hanging bags 29 aand 29 c, i.e. the good(s) 21 e and the ordered good(s) 26 a. Inaddition, it should be noted that, although, in the examples shown,reference is made to hanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c, also suspendedcarriers with hanging articles can be stored and transported in thesecond storage zone 16 and on the second conveying device(s) 15 a, 15 b.

In the example depicted, the second storage zone 16 comprises overheadstorage conveyors 17 and the second conveying device(s) 15 a, 15 boverhead transport conveyors, which are connected, in terms of conveyortechnology, with the overhead storage conveyors 17 and enable thein-feeding of the hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c with the transfer good(s)31 into the second storage zone 16 and/or the out-feeding of the hangingbag 29 a. . . 29 c with the ordered good(s) 26 a from the second storagezone 16.

Alternatively or additionally, it would also be conceivable that thesecond conveying device(s) 15 a, 15 b comprise(s) a conveying vehicleoperated in an automated manner 12 a, 12 b, which enables the in-feedingof the hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c with the transfer good(s) 31 into thesecond storage zone 16 and/or the out-feeding of the hanging bag 29 a. .. 29 c with the ordered good(s) 26 a from the second storage zone 16. Inparticular, the conveying vehicle 12 a, 12 b operated in an automatedmanner may be configured as a railborne storage-and-retrieval unit, suchas this is also the case in the first storage zone 8. Thisstorage-and-retrieval unit 12 a, 12 b may be displaceable in front ofthe storage locations along a rack aisle and be equipped with a loadsuspension device for in-feeding the hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c with thetransfer good(s) 31 into the overhead storage conveyor 17 and/or forout-feeding the hanging bag 29 a. . . 29 c with the ordered good(s) 26 afrom the overhead storage conveyor 17.

Further, three autonomous industrial trucks 35 a. . . 35 c are depictedby way of example in FIG. 1 in the area of the storage and order-pickingsystem 1.

With the help of the autonomous industrial truck 35 a, (an) orderedgood(s) 26 b, for example, can be transported directly from the goodsacceptance zone 3 to the goods transfer zone 4 (and not removed from thefirst storage zone 8 or the second storage zone 16). In the exampleshown, this/these ordered good(s) 26 b therefore form(s) (a) so-called“cross-docking good(s).” In particular, such ordered goods 26 b may beintended for the intermediate trade or end sellers (“retail”) andordered goods 26 a from the second storage zone 16 may be intended forthe end customer (“e-commerce”).

It is also conceivable that ordered goods 26 c are transported directlyfrom the first storage zone 8 to the picking station 24 or to the goodstransfer zone 4, i.e. by bypassing the second storage zone 16, such asit is depicted, for example, in FIG. 1 for the autonomous industrialtruck 35 b.

It is further conceivable that the storage and order-picking system 1also comprises different picking stations 24 especially tailored to theneeds of the intermediate trade/end seller and of the end customer,which are coupled to the second storage zone 16 via the second conveyingdevice(s) 15 b. Orders by the intermediate trade/end seller arecomprehensive and often contain many ordered goods 26 a. . . 26 c of thesame type of good, whereas orders by the end customers are lesscomprehensive and contain few ordered goods 26 a. . . 26 c of the sametype of good.

Yet, self-evidently, it would also be possible for the autonomousindustrial trucks 35 a. . . 35 c to be used for in-feeding goods 21 a. .. 21 e into the first storage zone 8 or for in-feeding transfer goods 31into the second storage zone 16 and/or for out-feeding transfer goods 31from the first storage zone 8 or for out-feeding ordered goods 26 a fromthe second storage zone 16. The first storage zone 8 and/or the secondstorage zone 16 can then be equipped with adequate transfer stations(not depicted), which enable the transfer of first loading aids 27 a, 27b into the first storage zone 8, the transfer of hanging bags 29 a. . .29 c into the second storage zone 16, the acceptance of first loadingaids 27 a, 27 b from the first storage zone 8 or the acceptance ofhanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c from the second storage zone 16.

Specifically, with the help of the autonomous industrial truck 35 c,first loading aids 27 a, 27 b can be out-fed from the first storage zone8 and provisioned at the first reloading supply position 14 and/or firstloading aids 27 a, 27 b can be in-fed into the first storage zone 8. Thestorage-and-retrieval units 12 a, 12 b will then be obsolete. If thehanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c, with the help of the autonomous industrialtruck 35 a. . . 35 c, can be in-fed into the second storage zone 16, thefirst section 15 a of the second conveying device(s) will be obsolete.If the hanging bags 29 a. . . 29 c, with the help of the autonomousindustrial truck 35 a. . . 35 c, can be out-fed from the second storagezone 16 and transported to the picking station 24, the second section 15b of the second conveying device(s) will be obsolete.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a first loading aid 27 c, which is configuredas a mobile shelf unit. The mobile shelf unit 27 c comprisesrespectively at least one receiving location 36 in shelves located ontop of one another. A plurality of goods 21 a. . . 21 e and/or transfergoods 31 can be placed in the mobile shelf unit 27 c. In addition, themobile shelf unit 27 c has feet 37. It can therefore be lifted andtransported using, for example, a fork of a forklift or of an autonomousindustrial truck (see FIG. 4). It would also be conceivable that theshelf unit 27 c has rollers instead of the feet 37 in order to be ableto transport it more easily. It would finally also be conceivable thatthe shelf unit depicted in FIG. 2 is not used as a mobile shelf unit 27c but as a fixed-installation shelf unit in the first storage zone 8.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration with a floor 38,feet 37 arranged at same, side walls 39 rising up laterally at the floor38 and an overhead storage conveyor and/or suspension rod 40 arrangedbetween the side walls.

Due to the structure, the configuration depicted can be lifted andtransported using, for example, a fork of a forklift or of an autonomousindustrial truck (see FIG. 4). The overhead storage conveyor/suspensionrod 40 is therefore configured so as to be mobile and/or transportable.It would also be conceivable that the configuration has rollers insteadof the feet 37 in order to be able to transport it more easily. It wouldfinally also be conceivable that the configuration depicted in FIG. 3 isnot mobile but is installed in a fixed manner in the second storage zone16.

FIG. 4 shows a schematically-depicted example of an autonomousindustrial truck 35. The autonomous industrial truck 35 has anunderframe 41, at which wheels 42, 43 are mounted so as to be rotatable.At least one of the wheels 42 is coupled with a drive 44 and at leastone of the wheels 42 is steerable. According to the embodiment shown,both wheels 42 are coupled with the drive 44 and are driven by same, andboth wheels 43 are steerable wheels. Yet the industrial truck 35 mayalso comprise only three wheels 42, 43, of which the wheels 42 aredriven and the wheel 43 is steerable. In addition, the autonomousindustrial truck 35 comprises a transport platform 45, on which thegoods 21 a. . . 21 e, ordered goods 26 a. . . 26 c, transfer goods 31,mobile shelf units 27 c or mobile overhead storage conveyors 40 to betransported can be received temporarily. According to the embodimentshown, the transport platform 45 is readjustable relative to theunderframe 41. To that end, the autonomous industrial truck 35 may havea vertical guidance 46 with the vertically displaceable transportplatform 45 affixed to it, as it is depicted in FIG. 4. The transportplatform 45 may also be shiftable laterally and/or forward in order tobe able to more easily receive or put down goods 21 a. . . 21 e, orderedgoods 26 a. . . 26 c, transfer goods 31, mobile shelf units 27 c ormobile overhead storage conveyors 40. Yet the transport platform 45could also be a fixed, level surface at the autonomous industrial truck35. Further, an autonomous industrial truck 35 also comprises a drivecontrol 47 for receiving commands from a superordinate control 48 (whichmay be comprised, for example, by the warehouse computer 32 andorder-processing computer 33) and for controlling/regulating themovements of the autonomous industrial truck 35. Finally, an autonomousindustrial truck 35 comprises sensors 49 a, 49 b for capturing theenvironment of the autonomous industrial truck 35 and for spatialorientation. The autonomous industrial truck 35 depicted in FIG. 4 hassteerable wheels 43. Yet these wheels will be obsolete to the extentthat the autonomous industrial truck 35 has wheels with which also alateral movement can be executed (e.g. Mecanum wheels). It would also beconceivable that, instead of a transport platform 45 or additionally toit, an overhead conveyor/suspension rod 40 is provided in order toout-feed ordered goods 26 a from the second storage zone 16 and in-feedtransfer goods 31 into the second storage zone 16.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 storage and order-picking system

2 building

3 goods acceptance zone

4 goods transfer zone

5 a. . . 5 b first conveying device(s)

6 a. . . 6 c robot

7 first unloading supply position

8 first storage zone

9 second unloading supply position

10 third unloading supply position

11 storage rack

12 a. . . 12 b storage-and-retrieval unit

13 unloading station

14 first reloading supply position

15 a, 15 b second conveying device(s)

16 second storage zone

17 overhead storage conveyor

18 second reloading supply position

19 reloading station

20 first order-picking supply position

21 a. . . 21 e good(s)

22 third conveying device(s)

23 second order-picking supply position

24 picking station

25 sorting device

26 a. . . 26 c ordered good(s)

27 a. . . 27 c first loading aid

28 delivery goods carrier

29 a. . . 29 c second loading aid (hanging bag)

30 target loading aid

31 transfer good(s)

32 warehouse computer

33 order-processing computer

34 joint warehouse and order-processing computer

35 . . . 35 c autonomous industrial truck

36 receiving location/storage location

37 foot

38 floor

39 side wall

40 mobile overhead storage conveyor/suspension rod

41 underframe

42 wheel (driven)

43 wheel (steerable)

44 drive

45 transport platform

46 vertical guidance

47 drive control

48 superordinate control

49 a, 49 b sensor

1. An order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26 a)into or onto a target loading aid (30), comprising the steps in-feedinggoods (21 a. . . 21 e) of different types of good into a first storagezone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27 a. . . 27 c), whichrespectively receive a plurality of goods (21 a. . . 21 e) and which arerespectively configured so as to be different from a hanging bag,generating a transfer request for rearranging multiple transfer goods(31) of a type of good from the first storage zone (8) into a secondstorage zone (16) when the goods (21 a. . . 21 e) of this type of goodare low in stock in the second storage zone (16), reloading the transfergoods (31), on the basis of the transfer request, from a first loadingaid (27 a. . . 27 c) into at least one second loading aid (29 a. . . 29c), which is configured as a hanging bag or comprises such a hangingbag, and transporting the second loading aids (29 a. . . 29 c) into thesecond storage zone (16), obtaining a picking order for picking the atleast one ordered good (26 a) and ascertaining the at least one orderedgood (26 a) required for this picking order and out-feeding the at leastone ordered good (26 a) from the second storage zone (16) and loadingthe at least one ordered good (26 a) into or onto the target loading aid(30) on the basis of the picking order, wherein the transfer request isgenerated and executed without reference to a picking order.
 2. Theorder-picking method according to claim 1, wherein, during the executionof a transfer request, the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) is fullyor partially unloaded, depending on whether a parameter which isallocated to a type of good reaches a threshold value.
 3. Theorder-picking method according to claim 2, wherein a probability P for afull unloading of the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) fits theconstraint $P > \frac{1}{n_{Waren}}$ wherein n_(Waren) specifies thenumber of goods (21 a. . . 21 e) being stored in or on this firstloading aid (27 a. . . 27 c).
 4. The order-picking method according toclaim 2, wherein a probability P for a full unloading of the firstloading aids (27 a. . . 27 c) used for storing the line of goods fitsthe constraint $P > \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}$ wherein n_(LHM1)specifies the number of first loading aids (27 a. . . 27 c) used forstoring the line of goods and n_(Waren) the number of goods (21 a. . .21 e) being stored in or on these first loading aids (27 a. . . 27 c).5. The order-picking method according to claim 2, wherein a probabilityP for a full unloading of the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) fitsthe constraint$\frac{n_{{LHM}\; 1{vollst}}}{n_{LHM1}} > \frac{n_{LHM1}}{n_{Waren}}$wherein n_(LHM1vollst) specifies the number of fully unloaded firstloading aids (27 a. . . 27 c), n_(LHM1) the number of first loading aids(27 a. . . 27 c) involved in a transfer request and nwaren the number ofgoods (21 a. . . 21 e) being stored in or on these first loading aids(27 a. . . 27 c) involved in a transfer request.
 6. The order-pickingmethod according to claim 2, wherein a setting to a partial or fullunloading for a majority of types of good of the line of goods ismaintained for a specified period of time, or for a specified number oftransfer requests occurring consecutively and relating to these types ofgood.
 7. The order-picking method according to claim 2, wherein asetting to a partial or full unloading for a type of good is maintainedfor a specified period of time, or for a specified number of transferrequests occurring consecutively and relating to these types of good. 8.The order-picking method according to claim 6 wherein a setting to apartial or full unloading applies to all first loading aids (27 a. . .27 c) which are required for the execution of a transfer request.
 9. Theorder-picking method according to claim 2, wherein the parameterallocated to a type of good forms part of the group: rate of turnover ofthe type of good, rate of turnover of the type of good in the secondstorage zone (16), number of transfer goods (30) of the type of good tobe reloaded.
 10. The order-picking method according to claim 2, whereinthe parameter allocated to a type of good is a rate of turnover of atype of good, the threshold value is a rate-of-turnover threshold value,which subdivides the line of goods into a share of types of good with ahigh rate of turnover and a share of types of good with a low rate ofturnover, and the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) is fully unloadedduring execution of a transfer request if the respective type of goodbelongs to the share of the line of goods available with a high rate ofturnover which is above a rate-of-turnover threshold value.
 11. Theorder-picking method according to claim 10, wherein the first loadingaid (27 a. . . 27 c), during execution of a transfer request, i) is onlyfully unloaded if a target number of transfer goods (31) to be reloadedis larger than the number, or equal to the number, of the goods (21 a. .. 21 e) located in the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) and ii) ispartially unloaded if a target number of transfer goods (31) to bereloaded is smaller than the number of the goods (21 a. . . 21 e)located in the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) if the respective typeof good, in the cases i) and ii), belongs to the share of the line ofgoods available with a low rate of turnover which is below therate-of-turnover threshold value.
 12. The order-picking method accordingto either claim 10, wherein the number and/or target number of thetransfer goods (31) to be rearranged is determined by means of oneparameter, or multiple parameters, from the group: rate of turnover ofthis type of good, number of the goods of this type of good in thesecond storage zone (16).
 13. The order-picking method according toclaim 2, wherein the parameter allocated to a type of good is a targetnumber of transfer goods (31) of a type of good which is to betransferred from the first storage zone (8) into the second storage zone(16), the threshold value is a rearrangement threshold value, from whicha first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) loaded with goods (21 a. . . 21 e)of said type of good is fully unloaded, a target number of transfergoods (31) of the respective type of good to be reloaded is determinedfor the transfer request, the actual number of the actually reloadedtransfer goods (31) corresponds to the target number if the targetnumber is smaller, or equal to, the rearrangement threshold value andthe actual number of the actually reloaded transfer goods (31)corresponds to the total number of the goods (21 a. . . 21 e) located inthe first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) if the target number is abovesaid rearrangement threshold value and at least one rearrangementthreshold value SW_(Umlager) referring or convertible to the number ofgoods exists, for which the following is true:SW_(Umlager)<n_(Waren)−1 wherein n_(Waren) specifies the number of goods(21 a. . . 21 e) respectively being stored in or on these first loadingaids (27 a. . . 27 c).
 14. The order-picking method according to claim13, wherein the target number is determined by means of one parameter,or multiple parameters, from the group: rate of turnover of this type ofgood, number of the goods (21 a. . . 21 e) of this type of good in thesecond storage zone (16).
 15. The order-picking method according toclaim 13, wherein the rearrangement threshold value is determined bymeans of one parameter, or multiple parameters, from the group: rate ofturnover of the type of good, total capacity in the second storage zone(16), remaining capacity in the second storage zone (16), provisioningtime during the out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) (31) from the firststorage zone (8).
 16. The order-picking method according to claim 15,wherein the rearrangement threshold value for a type of good with afirst rate of turnover is lower than for a type of good with a smaller,second rate of turnover and/or the rearrangement threshold value for asecond storage zone (16) with a first total capacity is lower than for asecond storage zone (16) with a smaller, second total capacity and/orthe rearrangement threshold value for a first remaining capacity in thesecond storage zone (16) is lower than for a smaller, second remainingcapacity in the second storage zone (16) and/or the rearrangementthreshold value for a first provisioning time during the out-feeding of(a) transfer good(s) (31) from the first storage zone (8) is lower thanfor a shorter, second provisioning time during the out-feeding of (a)transfer good(s) (31) from the first storage zone (8).
 17. Theorder-picking method according to claim 15, wherein the rearrangementthreshold value is reduced if the rate of turnover of the type of goodincreases and/or the rearrangement threshold value is reduced if theremaining capacity in the second storage zone (16) increases and/or therearrangement threshold value is reduced if the provisioning time duringthe out-feeding of (a) transfer good(s) (31) from the first storage zone(8) increases, and vice versa.
 18. The order-picking method according toclaim 1, wherein the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) with thetransfer goods (31) is conveyed from the first storage zone (8) to areloading station (19) and provisioned at a first reloading supplyposition (14) of the reloading station (19) on the basis of the transferrequest, and afterwards the transfer goods (31) are reloaded into atleast one hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c), which is provisioned at a secondreloading supply position (18) of the reloading station (19).
 19. Theorder-picking method according to claim 1, wherein a transfer requestfor rearranging multiple transfer goods (31) of a type of good from afirst loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) into at least one hanging bag (29 a.. . 29 c) is created when the number of the goods (21 a. . . 21 e) ofthis type of good in the second storage zone (16) falls below a stockthreshold value.
 20. The order-picking method according to claim 1,wherein, during execution of a transfer request, the content of thefirst loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) is divided between multiple hangingbags (29 a. . . 29 c).
 21. The order-picking method according to claim1, wherein, during the execution of a transfer request, one piece of (a)transfer good(s) (31) is respectively reloaded into one hanging bag (29a. . . 29 c) each.
 22. The order-picking method according to claim 1,wherein, during the execution of a transfer request, multiple transfergoods (31) are respectively reloaded into one hanging bag (29 a. . . 29c) each.
 23. The order-picking method according to claim 1, wherein thetarget loading aid (30) functions as a dispatch loading aid and the atleast one ordered good (26 a) is loaded directly from the hanging bag(29 a. . . 29 c) into or onto the dispatch loading aid or functions asan interim loading aid and the at least one ordered good (26 a) isreloaded from the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) into or onto the interimloading aid and afterwards into or onto a dispatch loading aid.
 24. Astorage and order-picking system (1) for picking at least one orderedgood (26 a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), comprising a firststorage zone (8) for storing goods (21 a. . . 21 b) of different typesof good with the help of first loading aids (27 a. . . 27 c), in or onwhich respectively a plurality of goods (21 a. . . 21 e) are receivableand which are respectively configured so as to be different from ahanging bag, a second storage zone (16) for storing the goods (21 a. . .21 e) of different types of good with the help of second loading aids(21 a. . . 21 c), which are respectively configured as a hanging bag orcomprise such a hanging bag, a warehouse computer (32) for generating atransfer request for rearranging multiple transfer goods (31) of a typeof good from the first storage zone (8) into the second storage zone(16) when the goods (21 a. . . 21 e) of this type of good are low instock in the second storage zone (16), (a) first conveying device(s) (5a. . . 5 b) for out-feeding the first loading aids (27 a. . . 27 c) withthe transfer goods (31) from the first storage zone (8) on the basis ofthe transfer request, (a) second conveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b) forin-feeding the hanging bags (21 a. . . 21 c) with the transfer goods(31) into the second storage zone (16) on the basis of the transferrequest and for out-feeding at least one ordered good (26 a), areloading station (19), to which the first conveying device(s) (5 a. . .5 b) and the second conveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b) are coupled andwhich enables the reloading, on the basis of the transfer request, ofthe transfer goods (31) from a first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) into ahanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) provisioned there, an order-processingcomputer (33) for acquiring an order for picking at least one orderedgood (26 a) and for ascertaining the ordered good(s) (26 a) required forthis picking order, a picking station (24), to which the secondconveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b) is/are coupled and which enables thereloading, on the basis of the picking order, of the at least oneordered good (26 a) from a hanging bag (21 a. . . 21 c) into or onto atarget loading aid (30) provisioned there, wherein the warehousecomputer (32) is configured to generate and execute the transfer requestwithout reference to a picking order.
 25. The storage and order-pickingsystem (1) according to claim 24, wherein the first loading aid (27 a. .. 27 c) is selected from the group: container, tray or cardboard box,wherein the loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) comprises a floor with areceiving location on its upper side, on which a plurality of goods (21a. . . 21 e), or transfer goods (31), can be placed, and has a transportsurface on its lower side, by which the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27c) is transportable on (a) first conveying device(s) (5 a. . . 5 b), aswell as comprises side walls rising up from the floor.
 26. The storageand order-picking system (1) according to claim 24, wherein the firstloading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) is configured as a mobile shelf unit, whichcomprises shelves with respectively at least one receiving location (36)in storage planes located on top of one another, on which receivinglocation (36) at least one good (21 a. . . 21 e), or transfer good (31),can be placed.
 27. The storage and order-picking system (1) according toclaim 24, wherein a sorting device (25) arranged along the route of thesecond conveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b), which sorting device (25) isconfigured to bring ordered goods (26 a) into a specifiable sequence.28. The storage and order-picking system (1) according to claim 24,wherein the first conveying device(s) (5 a. . . 5 b) and/or secondconveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b) comprise(s) (a) fixed-installationconveying device(s) and/or autonomous industrial trucks (35, 35 a. . .35 c) and/or is/are made up of it/them.
 29. The storage andorder-picking system (1) according to claim 24, wherein the firststorage zone (8) comprises storage racks (11), storage locations (36)are provided in the storage racks (11) and the first conveying device(s)(5 a. . . 5 b) comprise(s) a conveying vehicle (12 a, 12 b, 35, 35 a. .. 35 c) operated in an automated manner, which enables the out-feedingof the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) with the transfer goods (31).30. The storage and order-picking system (1) according to claim 29,wherein the first conveying device(s) (5 a. . . 5 b) comprise(s) a firstconveying section (5 a, 5 a′, 5 a″) for in-feeding the first loading aid(27 a. . . 27 c) with (a) good(s) (21 a. . . 21 e) into the firststorage zone (8) and a second conveying section (5 b) for out-feeding afirst loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) with (a) transfer good(s) (31) fromthe first storage zone (8) and the conveying vehicle (12 a, 12 b, 35, 35a. . . 35 c) operated in an automated manner also enables the in-feedingof the first loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) with the good(s) (21 a. . . 21e) into a storage location (36).
 31. The storage and order-pickingsystem (1) according to claim 29, wherein the conveying vehicle (12 a,12 b, 35, 35 a. . . 35 c) operated in an automated manner isdisplaceable in front of the storage locations (36) along a rack aisleand is equipped with a load suspension device (45) for in-feeding afirst loading aid (27 a. . . 27 c) with (a) good(s) (21 a. . . 21 e)into a storage location (36) and/or for out-feeding the first loadingaid (27 a. . . 27 c) with the transfer goods (31) from a storagelocation (36) and is configured as a railborne storage-and-retrievalunit (12 a, 12 b) or as an autonomous industrial truck (35, 35 a. . . 35c).
 32. The storage and order-picking system (1) according to claim 29,wherein the shelf units are configured as mobile shelf units, whichfunction as first loading aids (27 c), and the conveying vehicle (12 a,12 b, 35, 35 a. . . 35 c) operated in an automated manner is configuredas an autonomous industrial truck (35, 35 a. . . 35 c) and the mobileshelf units (27 c) are transportable by the autonomous industrial truck(35, 35 a. . . 35 c).
 33. The storage and order-picking system (1)according to claim 24, wherein the second storage zone (16) comprisesoverhead storage conveyors (17) and I) the second conveying device(s)(15 a, 15 b) comprise(s) overhead transport conveyors, which areconnected, in terms of conveyor technology, with the overhead storageconveyors (17) and enable the in-feeding of the hanging bag (29 a. . .29 c) with the transfer good(s) (31) into the second storage zone (16)and/or the out-feeding of the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) with theordered good(s) (26 a) from the second storage zone (16) and/or II) thesecond conveying device(s) (15 a, 15 b) comprise(s) a conveying vehicle(12 a, 12 b, 35, 35 a. . . 35 c) operated in an automated manner, whichenables the in-feeding of the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) with thetransfer good(s) (31) into the second storage zone (16) and/or theout-feeding of the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) with the ordered good(s)(26 a) from the second storage zone (16).
 34. The storage andorder-picking system (1) according to claim 33, wherein the conveyingvehicle (12 a, 12 b, 35, 35 a. . . 35 c) operated in an automatedmanner, in the case II), is displaceable in front of the storagelocations along a rack aisle and is equipped with a load suspensiondevice (45) for in-feeding the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) with thetransfer good(s) (31) into the overhead storage conveyor (17) and/or forout-feeding the hanging bag (29 a. . . 29 c) with the ordered good(s)(26 a) from the overhead storage conveyor (17) and is configured as arailborne storage-and-retrieval unit (12 a, 12 b) or as an autonomousindustrial truck (35, 35 a. . . 35 c).
 35. The storage and order-pickingsystem (1) according to claim 33, wherein the overhead storage conveyors(40) are configured so as to be mobile and/or transportable and theconveying vehicle (12 a, 12 b, 35, 35 a. . . 35 c) operated in anautomated manner, in the case II), is configured as an autonomousindustrial truck (35, 35 a. . . 35 c) and a mobile overhead storageconveyor (40) is transportable by the autonomous industrial truck (35,35 a. . . 35 c).
 36. The storage and order-picking system (1) accordingto claim 32, wherein the autonomous industrial truck (35, 35 a. . . 35c) is configured both for transporting the mobile shelf units (27 c) andfor transporting the mobile overhead storage conveyors (40).